I haven’t looked into this question nearly as much as others… I guess for me the question of what’s God’s character is like ultimately more important than what God’s ‘mechanics’ (if you want to put it that way) are like.
But as far as that goes, the nature of God, I know that God is Spirit, as the Bible says (and that fits with my own experience with God as well, and certainly makes loads of sense, even if it is frustrating at times not being able to literally see or hear or touch God)), but then when I hear that said I think about the ‘Holy Spirit’ and I’m like ‘so…um… is the Father Spirit too, and is Jesus Spirit too’ and ‘if God is Spirit in general, then is the Holy Spirit, er, Spirit in particular… what’s the difference’?
And then I know that Jesus was the Son of God, and then I’m like ‘so is Jesus the Son of God and God at the same time?’
And who do I pray to? To the Father? To the Son? To the Holy Spirit? To God, who is Spirit in general? Does it even matter?
So yes, the Trinity is a bit confusing to me. However, I’ve heard some arguments for it, like Cindy’s, that make sense on some level, if nothing more than a symbolic and poetic level (which appeals to me, being a fan of symbolism and poetry).
I’ve also heard some anti-trinitarian arguments that made sense on some level as well, though I admit can’t recall them at the moment.
So when it comes down to it, at least for me, I’m honestly agnostic on the question of ‘the mechanics of God’.
I do believe there is some deep and mysterious connection between the Father, and the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, though what exactly that connection is I don’t know.
Also, as far as Christ in particular is concerned, I do believe that in some way he was (and still is, I should think), both human and divine… whether that means he was in some way God Himself or whether that means that he had God in him in a very special and totally unique way that no one else has ever had (or perhaps ever will have, at least not in this world), really I don’t know.
But I know Jesus was different, and, I might add, in a beautiful (and wild) way.
Another important point for me is the question of whether God shares in our experience, and even our pain.
I’ve heard thoughts expressed on both sides of this question, Trin and Anti-Trin, that take this into account, and take it seriously, which is good, but also that leaves me agnostic, and undecided on what view to stand by.
If either side denied that God Himself shares in our experience and even in our pain, then I would have to reject it, if for no other reason then because I simply can’t put my trust in a God who doesn’t really understand how I feel…
But neither side or anyone in between seems to deny that reality, so there’s no deal-breaker there…
So I guess I’m at a loss on this one.
But honestly, I don’t believe it’s something I really need to figure out anyway, at least not right now, unless God decides to show me how things really are…
I guess what I try to focus on, if I focus on anything at all, is God’s heart, which is also Christ’s heart… which is, ultimately, a heart filled with compassion. And that is beautiful to me, and something worth holding onto.
I know this probably doesn’t add much of anything to the discussion, as I’m pretty much sitting on the fence on this, but hey, figured I’d throw in my two cents.
Blessings to you all
Matt